Students ‘Pay it Forward’ for others
By Linda Conner Lambeck, CT Post 2/18/2010
STAFF WRITER
BRIDGEPORT — Competing against other tables giving away candy, pens
and water bottles Wednesday at Housatonic Community College Club Day, Magaly
Cajigas and Cindy Cominsky had the unenviable task of asking for money.
And it wasn’t for Haitian earthquake relief.
“ It’s students helping students,” shouted Cajigas, over
music from a DJ set up on the opposite side of the college cafeteria. “ You
pay a dollar so some other student can get a scholarship next fall.”
Some reached for their wallets. Others said they were broke. Over the course
of three hours, there were 35 takers — or rather, givers — most forking
over a buck, a few contributing $5 or $10. One faculty member wrote a $25
check.
Since the Pay It Forward scholarship campaign started Feb. 8, donations have
trickled in.
If every student at the two- year public college were to contribute the suggested
dollar to the scholarship fund, it would have $5,845. That would equal HCC’s
record- breaking spring enrollment and be more than enough to give one student
a full- time scholarship in the fall of 2010. A full-year’s tuition,
as of this year, is $3,200.
Hampered by two snow days that broke fundraising momentum, and competing with
an effort to aid the earthquake- stricken nation of Haiti, the 10- day drive
has been extended two more days, to Saturday, in hopes of attracting
more notice — and more cash.
“ It’s the first year, so we don’t know how much to expect,” said
Maureen Dowdle, development director at the Housatonic Community College
Foundation, the organization behind the scholarship idea. Cajigas is
her assistant and Cominsky is the scholarship coordinator.
Organizers by the end of Wednesday said they have raised $ 309 from 109 donors.
So far, the top donation came from a student who gave $40, and then another $5.
Linda Bayusik, acting director of student activities, said the HCC Student
Senate has done its part to promote the concept. Enid Serrano, 34, a student
senator from Bridgeport, hit every table at the cafeteria during the fair to
drum up donations.
“ I tell them, ‘ What if you were that incoming student who couldn’t
pay for your books? All we’re asking is for a dollar, a dollar you probably
are going to waste on a bottle of water or a bag of chips. Why not hand it over
to someone in need?’ ” Serrano said, practicing her pitch.
Students will apply for the scholarship just as they do other awards distributed
by the foundation. A foundation scholarship committee meets regularly to make
awards based on merit and need.
Zobra Mali, a student from Stratford, was awarded a scholarship from the
foundation that enabled her to take a class during the winter intersession.
She said that’s why she plunked down a $1 for the new student-funded scholarship.
Natalie Averill, 19, of North Haven, also contributed a buck. She said she had
been asked for a donation several times over the past week and finally was asked
when she was in possession of lunch money. “It’s just a dollar.
I won a scholarship. If I were a freshman I’d want to win it,” she
said.
Mike Belletzkie, a sophomore from Fairfield and member of the Student Senate,
said in addition to a scholarship, the fund drive is promoting student camaraderie. “ Students
helping students is what we really need,” he said.
Emma Vaczek, a nursing student originally from Ghana but now living in Bridgeport,
agreed. “It’s good to help our own,” she said, giving $2.
Thanh Ngo of Bridgeport gave $5. “I got financial aid. I want to help someone
else,” he said.
Anson C. Smith, Public Relations Coordinator
Housatonic Community College
900 Lafayette Blvd.
Bridgeport, CT 06604
Tel: 203-332-5229, Fax: 203-332-5247
E-mail: asmith@hcc.commnet.edu